CARES Act and Federal Funding

Beginning in mid-December 2021, the University distributed available HEERF III funding to eligible students to help defray education costs associated with the pandemic.

Students had the option to apply these funds directly to their student account balance. Students who did not apply the funding to their GMercyU account balance or utilize the eRefund process received a paper check in the mail to the address we have on file.

Gwynedd Mercy University students who were enrolled in courses at the University on October 15, 2021 were eligible for ARP Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds. Students in Dual Enrollment, Diocesan, and Certificate programs were not eligible for HEERF III (ARP) funds.

Funding amounts for students enrolled on October 15, 2021 were as follows. Funding amounts were based on your enrollment status.

• Undergraduate, full-time (12 credits or more): $1,300
• Undergraduate, part-time (1-11 credits): $975
• Graduate students: $720

Funding was sent to eligible students in the middle of December.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) HEERF I

a) The University acknowledges that it has signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004 of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

b) The total amount of funds that the University has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students was $836,538.

c) The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of May 22, 2020 was $0. The initial disbursement is anticipated before June 30, 2020.

• October 6, 2020: The initial disbursement was made on June 10, 2020. As of October 6, 2020, $791,430 was disbursed to 1491 students based on the primary calculation. An additional $9,200 was awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 14 applicants.
• December 31, 2020: As of December 31, 2020, no additional funds were disbursed based on the primary calculation. A total of $32,600 was awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 51 applicants.
• March 31, 2021: As of March 31, 2021, no additional funds were disbursed based on the primary calculation.  A total of $43,300 has been awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 64 applicants.  $1,808 remains to be disbursed.
• June 30, 2021: As of June 30, 2021, no additional funds were disbursed based on the primary calculation.  A total of $45,108 has been awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 67 applicants, depleting the available contingency funds. All funds have been fully utilized.
• June 30, 2022: As of June 30, 2022, $2,208 of funds from the primary calculation pool were disbursed via the contingency pool process.  Four students did not deposit their checks from June 2020 and after three separate attempts and notification by the University to the students with no response, the awards were forfeited and returned to the University. The returned funds were then awarded to four students via the Contingency pool process, depleting the available contingency funds. All funds have been fully utilized.

d) The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is approximately 1,500.

e) The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of May 22, 2020 is zero. The first disbursement is anticipated before June 30, 2020.

• October 6, 2020: The initial disbursement was made on June 10, 2020. As of October 6, 2020, $791,430 was disbursed to 1491 students based on the primary calculation. An additional $9,200 was awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 14 applicants.
• December 31, 2020: As of December 31, 2020, no additional funds were disbursed based on the primary calculation. A total of $32,600 was awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 51 applicants.
• March 31, 2021: As of March 31, 2021, no additional funds were disbursed based on the primary calculation.  A total of $43,300 has been awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 64 applicants.  $1,808 remains to be disbursed.
• June 30, 2021: As of June 30, 2021, no additional funds were disbursed based on the primary calculation.  A total of $45,108 has been awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 67 applicants, depleting the available contingency funds. All funds have been fully utilized.
• June 30, 2022: As of June 30, 2022, $2,208 of funds from the primary calculation pool were disbursed via the contingency pool process.  Four students did not deposit their checks from June 2020 and after three separate attempts and notification by the University to the students with no response, the awards were forfeited and returned to the University. The returned funds were then awarded to four students via the Contingency pool process, depleting the available contingency funds. A total of 70 students received contingency funds (the fourth was awarded additional funds up to the maximum award amount). All funds have been fully utilized.

f) The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act was based on enrollment status. 

CARES Act Policies & Procedures – Original (PDF)
CARES Act Policies & Procedures – September 30, 2020 (PDF)
CARES Act Policies & Procedures – December 31, 2020 (PDF)
CARES Act Policies & Procedures – March 31, 2021 (PDF)
CARES Act Policies & Procedures – June 30, 2021 (PDF)

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act – September 30, 2020 (PDF)
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act – December 31, 2020 (PDF)
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act – March 31, 2021 (PDF)
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act – June 30, 2021 (PDF) (FINAL)

Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II)

• Gwynedd Mercy University acknowledges that it has agreed to the terms and conditions outline by the U.S. Department of Education for funds received under the CRRSAA (HEERF II) program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
  
  
• The total amount of funds that the institution received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is $836,538.
  
  
• As of June 30, 2021, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under CRRSAA is $782,978.
  • October 7, 2021: An additional $31,809 has been distributed to students under CRRSAA for a total of $814,787.
  • January 7, 2022: An additional $21,751 has been distributed to students under CRRSAA for a total of $836,538, fully depleting the funding as of December 31, 2021.
  • June 30, 2022: As of June 30, 2022, $2,252 of funds from the primary calculation pool were disbursed via the contingency pool process.  Six students did not deposit their checks from April 2021 and after three separate attempts and notification by the University to the students with no response, the awards were forfeited and returned to the University. The returned funds were then awarded to four students via the Contingency pool process, depleting the available contingency funds. A total of 1,302 students have received funds via the standard disbursement and 95 students received contingency funds. All funds have been fully utilized.
    
    
• The estimated total number of students at the institution that were eligible to receive the standard disbursement of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA is 1,312.
  
  
• The total number of students who have received the standard disbursement of Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA as of June 30, 2021 is 1,308. Supplemental appeal funding has been disbursed to an additional 11 students.
  • October 7, 2021: An additional 48 students, for a total of 59 students as of September 30, 2021, have received supplemental appeal funding under CRRSAA.
  • January 7, 2022: An additional 32 students, for a total of 91 students as of December 31, 2021, have received supplemental appeal funding under CRRSAA, fully depleting the funding.
  • June 30, 2022: As of June 30, 2022, $2,252 of funds from the primary calculation pool were disbursed via the contingency pool process.  Six students did not deposit their checks from April 2021 and after three separate attempts and notification by the University to the students with no response, the awards were forfeited and returned to the University. The returned funds were then awarded to four students via the Contingency pool process, depleting the available contingency funds. A total of 1,302 students have received funds via the standard disbursement and 95 students received contingency funds. All funds have been fully utilized.
    
    
• The method(s) used by Gwynedd Mercy University to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA program is outlined below:
  • In alignment with the recommendations from the Secretary of Education, Gwynedd Mercy University distributed the funds to students who were enrolled in the Spring 2021 semester and were:
    • Graduate students who completed the FAFSA and were considered eligible for federal financial aid
    • Undergraduate students who completed the FAFSA and were eligible for a Pell Grant; this includes students enrolled in both online/accelerated and on-campus programs.
    • Undergraduate students who completed the FAFSA and had an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $15,000 or less; this includes students enrolled in both online/accelerated and on- campus programs.
  • Funding amounts, based on Spring 2021 enrollment status, were as follows:
    • Title-IV Eligible Graduate Students, based on the results of your FAFSA: $200
    • Pell Eligible Campus Undergraduate Students, based on the results of your FAFSA:
      • Less-Than-Half-Time (fewer than 6 credits): $238
      • Half-Time (6-8 credits): $476
      • Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits): $713
      • Full Time (12 or more credits): $951
    • Pell Eligible Online/Accelerated Undergraduate Students, based on the results of your FAFSA:
      • Less-Than-Half-Time (fewer than 6 credits): $155
      • Half-Time (6-8 credits): $310
      • Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits): $465
      • Full Time (12 or more credits): $620
    • Title-IV Eligible Campus Undergraduate Students with an EFC of $15,000 or less, based on the results of your FAFSA:
      • Less-Than-Half-Time (fewer than 6 credits): $160
      • Half-Time (6-8 credits): $320
      • Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits): $479
      • Full Time (12 or more credits): $639
    • Title-IV Eligible Undergraduate Online/Accelerated Students with an EFC of $15,000 or less, based on the results of your FAFSA:
      • Less-Than-Half-Time (fewer than 6 credits): $120
      • Half-Time (6-8 credits): $240
      • Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits): $359
      • Full Time (12 or more credits): $479
    • Once these standard disbursements were made, the remaining balance will be awarded via an application appeal process.
      
      
• Instructions, directions, or guidance provided by Gwynedd Mercy University to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants, included notification of the following:
  • Eligibility to receive an award (emergency financial aid grant) through CRRSAA funding provided to the university.
  • The award/refund was generated from individual student accounts via direct deposit.
  • For those who do not have direct deposit, a check was mailed to the student’s permanent address.

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CRRSAA – March 31, 2021
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CRRSAA – June 30, 2021
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CRRSAA – September 30, 2021 (FINAL)

American Rescue Plan (ARP) (HEERF III)

• Gwynedd Mercy University acknowledges that it has agreed to the terms and conditions outlined by the U.S. Department of Education for funds received under the ARP (HEERF III) program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
  
  
• The total amount of funds that the institution received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP HEERF III program is $2,485,473.
  
  
• As of June 30, 2021, the University is in the process of determining the allocation of these funds. Distribution will be made during the 2021-2022 academic year.
  • October 7, 2021: The University is in the process of calculating the allocation of these funds and distributions will be made during the 2021-2022 academic year.
  • January 7, 2022: As of December 31, 2021, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under ARP is $2,478,139.
  • April 7, 2022: As of March 31, 2022, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under ARP is $2,478,139.
  • July 9, 2022: As of June 30, 2022, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under ARP is $2,485,365.
  • October 6, 2022: As of September 30, 2022, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under ARP is $2,485,365.  The University intends to award the remaining balance by December 31, 2022.
  • December 31, 2022: As of December 31, 2022, $7,818 of funds from the primary calculation pool were disbursed via the contingency pool process similar to HEERF I and II. Ten students did not deposit their checks from December 2021 and after three separate attempts and notification by the University to the students with no response, the awards were forfeited and returned to the University. The returned funds were then awarded to 12 students via the contingency pool, depleting the available remaining funds. A total of 1,292 students have received funds via the standard disbursement and 12 high need students received contingency funds. All funds have been fully utilized.
• January 7, 2022 - As of December 31, 2021:
  • The estimated total number of students at the institution that were eligible to receive the standard disbursement of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP was 2,304.
  • The total number of students who received the disbursement of Emergency Financial Aid Grant under the ARP as of December 31, 2021 was 2,304 for a total disbursement of $2,478,139.
  • The method(s) used by Gwynedd Mercy University to determine which students received Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the ARP program is outlined below:
    • Gwynedd Mercy University students who were enrolled in courses at the University on October 15, 2021 were eligible for ARP Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds. Students in Dual Enrollment, Diocesan, and Certificate programs were not eligible for HEERF III (ARP) funds.
    • Funding amounts for students enrolled on October, 15, 2021 were as follows. Funding amounts were based on enrollment status.
      • Undergraduate, full-time (12 credits or more): $1,300
      • Undergraduate, part-time (1-11 credits): $975
      • Graduate students: $720 
    • Funding was distributed to eligible students in mid-December.
  • Instructions, directions, or guidance provided by Gwynedd Mercy University to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants, included notification of the following:
    • Eligibility to receive an award (emergency financial aid grant) through ARP funding provided to the university.
    • The option to voluntarily elect, via an electronic form, to apply the funds to the student’s billing account. If no response was received, the funds were disbursed to students via direct deposit. For those students who did not have direct deposit, a check was mailed to the student’s permanent address.
• April 7, 2022 - As of March 31, 2022 no additional funds were awarded.
• July 9, 2022 - As of June 30, 2022 no additional funds were awarded.
• October 9, 2022 - As of September 30, 2022 no additional funds were awarded.  The University intends to award the remaining balance by December 31, 2022.
• December 31, 2022 - As of December 31, 2022, the remaining balance plus forfeited awards, totaling $7,818, were disbursed via the contingency pool process similar to HEERF I and II. Ten students did not deposit their checks from December 2021 and after three separate attempts and notification by the University to the students with no response, the awards were forfeited and returned to the University. The returned funds were then awarded to 12 students via the Contingency pool, depleting the available remaining funds. A total of 1,292 students have received funds via the standard disbursement and 12 high need students received contingency funds. All funds have been fully utilized.

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under ARP – June 30, 2021
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under ARP – September 30, 2021
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under ARP – December 31, 2021
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under ARP – March 31, 2022
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under ARP – June 30, 2022 - FINAL